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Ketchikan & Juneau Explorer

2 tours

Description

Explore the best of Southeast Alaska's two most iconic ports with the Ketchikan & Juneau Explorer package. Perfect for shorter Inside Passage cruises, this 2-port adventure pairs hands-on Ketchikan excursions with Juneau's glaciers, wildlife, and waterways. Whether you're kayaking past icebergs, watching humpback whales, or hauling up king crab pots, every tour is handpicked for guests who want to get out and explore.

Tour 1 of 2 (Ketchikan)

Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour

4.87 (863)

3 ½ Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off

Wildlife Opportunities

Eagles, seals, and whales are seen often!

Limited-Mobility Tour

Can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters!

Board A Fishing Vessel

From Discovery’s ‘Deadliest Catch’

Description

You may have seen this tour topping the charts for things to do in Ketchikan and with good reason. The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's tour was rated 'Ketchikan Tour of the Year' and consistently receives rave reviews. This one-of-a-kind tour puts you onboard an actual Alaskan fishing boat and right into some astounding scenery, wildlife and of course...crab!

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour isn't your ordinary shore excursion. Load up onboard the Aleutian Ballad, an equipped fishing vessel featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Meet your hosts - local fishing guides that are full of colorful stories from their experiences which they'll share as you begin to disembark from port. Explore the calm waters of the Inside Passage while keeping your eyes peeled for eagles, seals, sea lions and whales, which are all frequently spotted on the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour. When the time is right, you'll be part of the action as the guides start hauling crab pots and fishing gear containing anything from rockfish, stars, octopus, prawns, halibut and a variety of crab. Specimens will be brought on board the boat in holding tanks so you can actually feel and touch Alaskan king crab!

Tales from life at sea compliment the wealth of knowledge and information shared by your fishermen/guides during the tour. It's hard to believe the danger and adventure inherent in this industry through some of the stories, but unlike many fishing stories, these tales are real! The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour doesn't head out into the open ocean but stays within the calm protected waters of the Inside Passage making it a smooth sail. Ample seating on the boat allows you to sit back and enjoy the views or choose to position close to the holding tanks to become part of the action. A truly unique experience only found in Ketchikan - but be sure to book early because this one fills up quick!

Please note: If you are cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will be docking at Ward Cove and will subsequently need more time between your cruise’s scheduled arrival & departure times and this tour. Please ensure you have at least 1 hour of buffer time to comfortably make this tour.

What's Included

Friendly guides and experienced fishermen

Restrooms onboard

Guide gratuity

Food & drinks

Frequently Asked Questions

What will we see and do on the tour?

When you step aboard the Aleutian Ballad, you will have an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. We are the only boat of its kind, a true Bering Sea crab fishing vessel featured on the Discovery Channel, taking passengers along to experience and share in the wildlife, the stories and the beauty that is "The Last Frontier". During a typical tour on the (fishing vessel) Aleutian Ballad, we will encounter life above and below the sea. Common sightings include: whales, bald eagles, porpoise, octopus, king crab, shrimp, many different fish and a huge list of unexpected sightings. The experience you have is really up to you. If you would prefer to stay top-side, photographing the wilderness landscapes and relaxing as you listen to the fishermen's tales - that is up to you! Perhaps you'd prefer to stay by the live tank, touching all the sea creatures we pull up from the depths and learning about the different species of fish, octopus and crab - do it! Want to do some shopping? Visit our on board gift shop, and take home some memories of this special day. This tour is what you make of it and it is all at your fingertips...

Will I get sea sick?

Ketchikan is located within Alaska's Inside Passage. The water here is normally very calm. Even when the winds pick up during the winter months and the weather gets bad, the islands create a break for us and we hardly see a wave.The F/V Aleutian Ballad is over 100 feet long and made of solid steel. The boat was specifically created to handle the roughest seas in the world. Also, as the seating area is outside (covered and heated, of course), there is always a lovely cool breeze that refreshes the senses. If you are extremely sensitive to motion, you may want to take typical motion sickness medicine before coming. However it’s highly unlikely that you will need it.

Is transportation provided?

The Aleutian Ballad is actually docked at Berth 3 in Ketchikan and within walking distance of downtown and the cruise ships. A representative from The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour will be waiting for you at the bottom of your gangway (steps off of the boat) 30 minutes prior to the tour departure time. Look for the bright yellow jacket and the sign that reads, “Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour.” You'll receive an email confirmation with full meeting instructions upon booking. **Please note:** If you are cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will be docking at Ward Cove and will subsequently need more time between your cruise’s scheduled arrival & departure times and this tour. Please ensure you have at least 1 hour of buffer time to comfortably make this tour.

What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?

We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.

Will we get to see wildlife on tour?

While not guaranteed, there is always a chance to see wildlife along Alaska's shores. Some tours have seen bears, eagles, and other wildlife. Your guides will do their best to keep an eye out for wildlife and make every effort to share when they are in view.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: 5 years old

This tour is wheelchair accessible. Please get in contact with an agent prior to your tour if you are planning on needing wheelchair accommodations.

Cancel up to 7-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 7-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City

Ketchikan

Itinerary • 3h 00min • 5 activities

After meeting your guides at your cruise ship, head on over to the Aleutian Ballad, a ship right out of Deadliest Catch, to meet your crew, go over safety information, and learn about the tour.

Duration

30 minutes

As you head out into Inside Passage waters surrounding Ketchikan, prepare to be amazed by the stories of seasoned fishermen, learning all about the industry from these talented storytellers.

Duration

30 minutes

Prepare to be amazed, as the fishing vessel sails to a nearby island, frequented by eagles, for a viewing experience you won't ever forget.

Duration

30 minutes

Reaching the crabbing pots, you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes as your guides pull up the pots, and show you the amazing creatures they find inside. You may even have the chance to hold one for yourself!

Duration

1 hour

As you return to port, enjoy final stories from the crew, take pictures with your guides, or hop inside to learn more about the Aleutian Ballad. Reaching port, your guides will escort you back to your dock, or you can explore nearby downtown if you are docked close by.

Duration

30 minutes

Customer Reviews 863

Total score

4.87

807

Tour 2 of 2 (Juneau)

Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

4.78 (1437)

6 Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off

Guaranteed Whales

Guaranteed on tours May 15 - September 15. Bald eagles and sea lions also common.

Family Friendly

Suitable for all ages and abilities

Two Tours in One

Juneau’s signature attractions together

Description

You've decided you'd like to see the magnificent humpback whales in Alaska, but which Juneau whale watching tour is right for you? With this Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour, you're getting a little more bang for your buck and ensuring you're not missing any of Juneau's highlights! This tour includes a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier visitor's center in addition to the whale watching adventure. Including all of the features of the popular Whale Watching Tour, you'll leave the waters of Auke Bay and continue with a transfer over to the famous Mendenhall Glacier.

With a convenient downtown pick-up location within walking distance of the cruise ships, a 25-minute transfer over to Auke Bay takes you through downtown Juneau while your guide narrates the journey, providing a great introduction and orientation to Alaska's capital city. Load up on the customized whale watching boat and then it won't take long to arrive at prime whale watching waters. Spend the next 2 hours in the midst of whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles, experiencing Alaska's diverse wildlife first-hand. Upon returning to the harbor, board the bus for a transfer to the glacier. Take a self-guided stroll to the glacier viewpoint or into the visitor's center (admission is included in tour price) which provides a wealth of knowledge and information. You have over and hour to explore the area before boarding the bus back to town.

Please note: This tour may run in reverse with the glacier visit first followed by whale watching.

* Please note that the Visitor Center building will be closed on Saturdays during the 2025 season. The park area, trails, and restrooms will all remain open, still providing exceptional views of Mendenhall Glacier.

Looking for more chances to spot wildlife and experience the highlights of each port town on your Alaska cruise? We recommend Skagway's Yukon Discovery and Ketchikan's Bering Sea Crab tour, or check out all of our staff picks!

What's Included

Roundtrip Transportation

Knowledgeable Guides

Light Snack

Guide Gratuity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are on this tour?

There are two different boats used for this tour. The enclosed jet boats seat up to 28 people, and the larger catamarans can accommodate up to 49 people (if the tour is at full capacity). There is no way to request or know in advance which boat will be used for your departure.

What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?

Is there a restroom on board the boat?

Yes, there is a small restroom on board the boat and also an opportunity before leaving at Auke Bay Harbor. We certainly recommend using the facilities at Auke Bay before leaving, as the onboard restrooms are quite small.

What should we wear and bring?

This tour operates rain or shine, and rain is common as we lie in a temperate rainforest! For comfort, we typically recommend long pants, closed-toed shoes and a waterproof jacket. Some guests choose to bring a small bag or backpack along to store extra layers, a bottle of water and cameras.

How can you guarantee that we will see whales?

The captain and crew are out there everyday, and understanding the whales' patterns and behavior is their job! Whales are creatures of habit like us and prefer certain feeding locations. Whale sighting guarantee valid on tours from May 15 to September 15.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: There is no minimum age to join this tour

No minimum age to participate on this tour

Walkers or folding wheelchairs are allowed. Electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Please note that the ramp down to the boat will be steep and may be difficult to navigate at low tide.

Either a 24-passenger jetboat for a 49-passenger catamaran. Guests cannot make requests for vessel type.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center portion is a self-guided tour and guests WILL NOT get on/near the glacier

Guests docking at AJ Dock will need to select a departure at least 60 minutes after arrival.

Cancel up to 24 hours the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 24 hours of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City

Juneau

Itinerary • 6h 00min • 6 activities

Guides will meet you at the downtown cruise ship dock and direct you to your bus.

Duration

20 minutes

Duration

30 minutes

Once aboard your vessel, you'll enjoy 2 hours of whale watching with your captain and crew as they navigate the waters of Auke Bay.

Duration

2 hours

Hop back on your shuttle to get to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center.

Duration

30 minutes

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the visitors center to learn more about the glaciers that shaped the landscape and enjoy the many trails.

Duration

1 hour 15 minutes

Proceed to the return bus stop to load the shuttle back to the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau.

Duration

50 minutes

Customer Reviews 1437

Total score

4.78

1218

155